If you aren't going destory it, you can rule out the possibly of upgradeabilty considering age and its a laptop i'd get a internet card for it somthing and use it for what and be done with it.
I tried using a laptop as a server once, complete disaster - doesnt work. Maybe a torrent box, or put 98 on it, and just use it. Or give it to charity.
Not to mention a waste of capable and running hardware. If the laptop is already DOA, then find some way to have fun blowing it up, but if it runs, keep it.